Religious people of all backgrounds will experience crises of faith from time to time. These can often occur during times of stress, even though people will need their faith the most during times of stress. During crises of faith, people will want to learn how to increase their faith. However, there are also going to be plenty of instances in which people would like to increase their faith anyway, even if they are enjoying degrees of faith that are normal for them. While the exact means by which a person can increase his or her faith will vary from religion to religion and from person to person, there should be at least some techniques that will manage to work for a lot of people from many different religious backgrounds.

Strengthening Your Faith

One of the main things that people can do in order to increase their faith is spend more time with other people of faith. People’s convictions in almost anything can become much stronger when they spend a great deal of time with people who have the exact same convictions. People of faith do not even necessarily need to talk to one another about their faith in order to strengthen their faith. Just spending time together can often do the trick for the people who are in this situation. A lot of people associate with members of their own religion, and they often feel strongly connected to that religion as a result.

Some people try to get more strongly connected to their religion by attending classes related to the subject. Christians may go to Bible classes, for instance. Buddhists may go on meditation retreats or they may take meditation classes. All faiths should have options for the people who are in that situation. Crises of faith are common, and a lot of religions have resources for the people who are in that situation.

In the modern world, it is easier than ever before to address problems like this. There are entire forums where religious people can talk to one another about this very concern. Many people will have written long essays online about what they did in order to reconnect with their faith. They have released this information to the general public. Religious leaders will offer their own advice on how to address this problem, and they can connect with people of faith from all over the world when they are trying to offer this advice. People in the modern world are definitely not alone when it comes to this problem.

The Development of a Person’s Faith

People will got through many different phases throughout their lives. They will feel more or less connected to certain things at certain times. People’s faith can often go through similar cycles. Individuals who feel as if they strayed from their faith can return to it. People who felt disconnected from their religion can easily come back. These kinds of transitions are normal and should be recognized as such.

You never want to give cops extra information when you get pulled over. I ended up just sort of hinting that I just came from a party, and the officer who pulled me over started doing all of these breath tests and all of these tests to see how conscious and aware I was. I did end up passing as someone who wasn’t drunk, which was a relief. From now on, when I get pulled over, I’ll say I was at the library.

I was in the Middle East during the War in Iraq. We heard that the commanding officer was about to tell us a story about tour of booty. I hurried to clean, and shoved a bunch of junk in my laundry bag. The officer finished conducting the inspection, but happened to place his hand on it as he was leaving. It was obvious there was more than dirty laundry in the bag so he asked me what was in there. I responded with love letters sir. Why do you keep love letters in their soldier he asked? I responded, they’re dirty letters sir.

Everyone, at some time in their life, will have doubts about their faith. Even Thomas, who was a disciple of Jesus, had his doubts. He needed to see the scars and marks in His hands and feet before he could really believe. He personally walked and talked with Jesus, seeing Him perform miracles and minister to the people, and he still couldn’t believe. After giving him the proof he required, Jesus told him to believe is good, but to believe without seeing was better. It is that concept of blind faith that can really start to wear a person down. You might even be at the point of wondering how you got to this point, and what you can do to really find the answers you seek.

Jesus has given many examples for us, being that He is the Teacher. When you find yourself starting to wonder, there is no better place to turn for answers than in His words. He was a gentle and loving leader, never forcing His will upon those He taught, but rather He showed them simple concepts that were easy to understand. As a follower and disciple of Christ, you should let His words and teachings guide you through this process, allowing Him to fix and heal the dent in your armor.

Being The Mustard Seed

In the book of Matthew, Peter confronts Jesus. Peter expresses that the crowds of people think He is one of the prophets, wanting to know if it is true. In His simple fashion, Jesus asks Peter for his opinion. Jesus was very fond of asking questions instead of making statements, allowing other to express how they feel and think for themselves. He understood that telling someone a fact doesn’t make it true to that person unless they believe. It was then that Peter declared, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God”, and Jesus blessed him for his faith. (Matthew 16:13-17 KJV)

Another beautiful example of faith can be found in Mark chapter 5. While walking through a crowd of people, Jesus felt someone touch Him. Being that He was in a crowd, the disciples thought it was an odd question, “Who touched my clothes?” A woman fell to her knees, admitting that it was her. She had been afflicted with a blood disorder and thought if she could only touch the hem of His clothes she could be healed. It was through her faith, knowing that merely touching the clothing of Jesus would heal her, that she was blessed. Jesus told her, “Daughter, thy faith has healed thee.” Jesus is telling us that even having the smallest amount of faith, even in something so simple, can heal our wounds even if they are not physical wounds.

Unfortunately, Jesus isn’t here physically to show you the nail marks and speak with you directly. Instead, He asks that we have the faith of a mustard seed. In Matthew chapter 17, the disciples were unable to remove a demon from a boy, even though they had previously been able to. Jesus told them it was their lack of faith. Even if their faith was as small as a mustard seed, which is only 2 millimeters tiny small, they would be able to move mountains. This means even if you can only muster the mustard seed, all things will be possible for you.

Growing The Seed Into A Tree

The more love you show your mustard seed, the better it will grow. Mustard trees can grow to be an incredible twenty-five feet tall. This is not the tallest of trees, but when you consider how tiny they start out, it is very impressive. This shows how much your faith can also grow if you will nurture it.

Always remember, Jesus never told His followers who He was. It is more important to their spiritual well being that they recognize who He is for themselves. Allowing them to think for themselves, He was allowing them to choose Him or another path. Forcing His will upon anyone would have been direct opposition to His teachings. While you are trying to figure things out for yourself, remember He will never force you to follow Him, but he has laid out His teachings in a plain way, easy to understand, if you will but seek them out. Perhaps making the decision to seek out His words will be your mustard seed.

In a world that places little value in spirituality and morals, it can be very easy to get lost in a sea of confusion and doubt. It can be very helpful to calm your mind if you know where to look for peace. There is no better way to focus your life and heart on God than to look to His Son with humility and faith. When you don’t know where to start, there are several beautiful scripture passages to help boost your faith and strengthen your resolve.

12 Bible Verses That Will Get You Through Anything

James 2:17

“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

When you have faith, it makes you act. Even though we are saved by grace and not by works (Eph 2:8-9), it is our faith that makes us act in positive, uplifting ways. So while we have faith in things we can not see, our actions give substance and weight to our faith.

Matthew 14:30-31

“But when he (Peter) saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

The disciples awoke on a boat, while there was a storm at sea. They found Jesus walking on top of the water. Peter, having faith that he could do the same, threw himself overboard and began to walk on the water towards Jesus. When Peter began to feel fear, he lost faith, and began to sink. This is a common problem in our lives; faith and fear can not exists at the same time. When we become afraid, we lose sight of God and we will start to sink in our own personal sea.

Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

When you love God, you will do as He commands. In turn, He will bless you for your faith and diligence. You can be assured that things will work out for you, even if you first have to experience the trials that will strengthen you.

Matthew 17:20

“…for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.”

The language of this passage is meant to be figurative. Faith can’t literally move a mountain. However, if you will show even a spec of faith, you will be able to overcome your personal obstacles, which seem like mountains to you. The mountain in this text is a metaphor for anything that can seem to be impossible.

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

When we align ourselves with Jesus, He will help us carry our burdens making them lighter and easier to manage. Having faith in Jesus is really a two part deal; you have to have faith in Him, as the Savior, but you also have to believe Him when He says He can help and make your burdens light.

Psalm 37:7

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”

It can be easy to get caught up in the appearance of blessings in others, when you love God and feel neglected. Don’t let what others do concern you. They might seem to be blessed, but are prospering because they are worshipping the wrong god. Your God, the true God, will bless you beyond measure, if you will but accept His timeline.

2 Peter 1:4

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

We should take comfort in the idea that God is God, and He doesn’t have to promise us anything. He is in the position to demand all and give nothing. But He is a loving God who does promise us more than we can fathom, simply by believing in Him.

John 14:18

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

We are promised a lifetime of companionship if we will have faith. Because Jesus descended below us all, He will always know how to comfort us. He can be our solace in the storms of life.

James 1:5

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth now; and it shall be given him.”

When you are in doubt or lacking answers that you need, prayer can be your lifeline. When you ask in faith, without hesitation or fear, you will receive the answers you are looking for. God will reward your desire for knowledge, as long as it is sought in faith.

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

When you show faith in Jesus, and you trust the things He says, He will bring peace to your mind and soul. But His peace is strong and eternal, not the temporary peace of mind you can get from worldly things. Remember, fear and faith can’t exist at the same time.

An Open Bible.

Isaiah 40:31

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength… They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Showing faith in God can have positive effects on your body as well. You are promised strength and longevity. When you believe in God, you will feel good, body and soul. When your body feels good, you will be more willing to do the work of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:7

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

If you can see something, it doesn’t require faith. Showing faith, in things that can’t been seen, is necessary for you to believe in God. It is this faith in things unseen that is most rewarded by God. As Jesus told Thomas after His resurrection, to believe is good, but it is better to believe without being compelled to believe.

Applying Faith To Your Daily Life

As you work on strengthening your faith, remember it is a challenge that everyone faces. When we lose sight of where we want to be we can end up scattered by the wind and lost. If you don’t set your sights on an eternal life in the kingdoms promised by God, it isn’t going to make any difference what paths you chose instead.